- Colourful yet robust and accessible public information terminals
- Height and angle can be adjusted for improved user accessibility
- Bespoke software for a wide range of applications
Much of the information we need to carry out our daily lives in this modern world is provided via computers and a multitude of internet sites. Work, educational and life choices as well as researching local and central government facilities are some of the many activities undertaken using the internet. However, many people who need this information either do not have access to it, lack confidence or are unable to use available technologies due to disabilities such as visual impairments.
It was this realisation that convinced Annette, a woman with a vision, to create an entirely new type of public information terminal. Annette approached Midas and other local companies to aid her in her mission to make public information as accessible as possible for as many people as possible. Annette wanted the terminals to be height and angle adjustable, so that they would be accessible for children, wheelchair users, hospital patients, and people with visual and hearing impairments among others.
With a target market that included a wide variety of public service providers and with software developed on a bespoke basis for every application, the task was huge. Undaunted, Annette worked closely with Midas and local designers in order to create the terminal she felt the public deserved.
Annette knew what she wanted: “This type of product has to look good and be robust as well. The smoothness of the finished moulding is also important, not only for its tactile qualities but also when, for example in a hospital environment, it has to be easily wiped clean to avoid cross-contamination.”
Midas recommended using the MRIM™ moulding technology to meet Annette’s brief, creating robust yet colourful and accessible terminals. As well as manufacturing the mouldings, our in-house paint team spray-finished them for improved aesthetics while our assembly team ensured all components such as the electronics and touch screens were fitted correctly.
On working with Midas, Annette stated: “Midas’s input to the project was really crucial. They checked the manufacturability and cost-effectiveness of the design – which saved everyone both time and money,” adding; “We actually achieved our objective of moving from the initial design to production in three months – a huge success and one which we have only been able to achieve by the whole team working really closely together.”
There are already 600 kiosks installed and working in the UK and the design continues to develop. The range of information out-reach products has been expanded with the introduction of hand-held mobile terminals. This option has hugely increased the number of people and places that can access public information, including remote rural areas and travellers’ sites, to name a few.
For more information on our MRIM™ process or any other reaction injection moulding solution, call our team today on +44 (0)1234 358394.